CA15.3 Levels in Primary Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): M. Gion, R. Mione, O. Nascimbeni, M. Valsecchi, C. Gatti, A. Leon, G. Bruscagnin
Primary Institution: Center for the Study of Biological Markers of Malignancy, Division of Radiotherapy, Regional General Hospital, ULSS 16, Venice
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between CA15.3 serum levels and clinical/pathological parameters in primary breast cancer?
Conclusion
CA15.3 is a marker of tumor burden and local invasiveness in primary untreated breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- CA15.3 levels showed a highly significant direct relationship with clinical stage and the number of positive lymph nodes.
- CA15.3 was significantly higher in medullary carcinoma compared to ductal carcinoma.
- CA15.3 levels were correlated with tumor size in patients without axillary metastasis.
Takeaway
Doctors measured a substance called CA15.3 in the blood of women with breast cancer to see how it relates to the cancer's severity.
Methodology
Preoperative serum levels of CA15.3 were measured in 667 patients with untreated primary breast cancer and compared with 193 healthy controls.
Limitations
The prognostic role of CA15.3 levels is still to be defined and was evaluated in a limited number of cases.
Participant Demographics
Median age of patients was 60 years (range 25-88); control group median age was 50 years (range 34-78).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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